The recession shadow looms over employees in the U.S., who are putting in the same amount of work for reduced purchasing power. With inflation outpacing wage rises, the cost of living blowing up, and pension plans in decline, financial insecurity is deepening.
Employees’ financial well-being is for the most part dependent on their employers, who are in the perfect position to help. Employees also think so, with 78% desiring support from their employers due to inflation. But, are companies doing enough?
New research by TalentLMS, Enrich, and Tapcheck zooms into financial wellness programs in the workplace: Are employees getting them, are those programs helpful, and is the offer aligned with employees’ needs? The survey of 1,000 employees in the U.S. across industries also took the pulse of money-related views between four working generations, and highlighted areas of alignment and contrast between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, and Baby Boomers.
Key findings
- Only 5% of employees say they have met their financial goals. Out of those who didn’t meet their goals, inflation (62%) and insufficient income (48%) are the two main obstacles in reaching them.
- 78% of employees find it important to get support from their company, in light of inflation.
- Employees report retirement planning, investment programs, and emergency savings as the top three financial wellness benefits they’d like to receive from their employer.
- Due to money-related stress, 49% of employees have experienced mental health struggles, and 45% physical health issues.
- 66% of Millennials, 59% of Gen Z, and 47% of Gen X employees have experienced mental health struggles due to money-related issues. The percentage of Baby Boomers having the same issues is lower, with only 24%.
- Going out, shopping, and entertainment are the three main areas employees have reduced spending in response to inflation.
- 73% of employees are getting financial wellness benefits from their employer, while 51% are receiving financial wellness training at work.
- 1 in 4 employees would like to be financially prepared to retire before they turn 50.
- Recession talks have made 7 in 10 employees more concerned about their financial wellness.
- Getting advice from their employer on cryptocurrencies is important for 48% of employees.
- Less than half of employees (49%) feel they are on track to meet their financial goals and retire by the desired age.
- 68% of employees are more likely to stay longer at their current job if their employer offers them financial wellness benefits.
- 73% of employees who are getting financial wellness training from their company say it is helping them feel more safe and secure.
The toll of financial stress on employees
Financial pressure on employees is piling up. Bank of America reports that 62% of workers are stressed about their finances, and almost half are worried that they won’t be able to make ends meet because of inflation. Our research confirms this sentiment, with 7 in 10 employees saying they are more concerned about their financial well-being due to recession talks, while less than half feel financially stable. What’s more, the findings uncovered that financial worries are creating mental and physical health issues.
Money-related stress causes mental and physical health struggles
Nearly half of surveyed employees (49%) have experienced mental health struggles because of money-related stress. When money and mental health challenges are intertwined, one problem can build upon the other — creating a vicious loop of anxiety that can be difficult to break out from.
45% of employees are having physical health issues due to money-related stress. In addition to worsening mental health, financial stress also takes a toll on physical health: With financial worries having a devastating effect on the mental and physical health of employees, it is clear that they need help to restore a sense of security.
The uneven impact of money-related stress on different generations
The well-being of Millennials is affected by money-related stress more than other generations.
The survey results showed that financial stress runs deep for most generations. But for some, it runs deeper. Looking into how different age groups at work are coping, data revealed that Millennials suffer the most: 66% of Millennial employees have experienced mental health struggles due to money-related issues. On the other hand, older employees seem to control financial stress better, with just 24% of Baby Boomers saying their mental health is impacted by it.
When it comes to how money-related stress impacts physical health, Millennials are again the most affected generation, with 56% enduring physical health difficulties because of financial concerns. While Gen Z (51%) and Gen X (50%) follow closely, Baby Boomers are again the least affected age group, with 27% agreeing that money-related stress causes them physical health issues.
On their own: Battling the exploding costs by spending less
Employers are failing to match the inflation rate with wage raises: Gartner found that only 13% of organizations intend to increase employee pay due to inflation. Without substantial support in face of exploding life costs, employees are doing whatever they can to weather the storm. And their main strategy is to put the brakes on spending.
To keep up with a squeeze on incomes, employees are making sacrifices. With only 7% saying they have not reduced spending, let’s look at which expenses are being slashed.
The first thing employees are giving up is going out, with 56% reducing how much they spend in bars, cafes, and restaurants. The next category, where 50% of the workforce has tightened their belt, is shopping — followed by entertainment, with 40% cutting how much they spend on streaming, gaming, and music.
Looking into how different generations approach spending cuts, data unveils alignment across different age groups. No matter the age, going out and shopping are taking the biggest hit.
Financial wellness programs at work: A remedy for stress, and a path toward reaching financial security
Economic upheaval is forcing employers to rethink their role in supporting the well-being and financial future of their people, who are heavily impacted.
Employers seem aware of their responsibility, along with the benefits of a financially fit workforce: 95% are feeling responsible for employees’ financial wellness. And 98% agree that employee financial wellness has a direct impact on their organizations, most commonly on productivity, engagement, and turnover.
What employers can do to support the financial health of their people
Getting support from their company in light of recent inflation is important for 78% of employees, the TalentLMS, Enrich, and Tapcheck survey found. But, are they getting it?
Survey data uncovered that companies can do better. Only 45% of employees agree that their employer is doing enough to improve their financial wellness. This is more encouraging than what Gallup recently found, that fewer than 1 in 4 U.S. employees feel strongly that their employer cares about their well-being. Either way, there’s a lot of room for improvement in how supportive companies are.
Employers should take note that looking for a higher-paying job ranks third on the list of inflation-coping strategies, especially in light of unemployment rates staying low despite job cuts. Despite headcount reductions taking place, business leaders remain concerned about hiring and retaining talent, PwC reports.
Here are the key takeaways for employers on what they can do to better support the financial health of their people, and guide them into a more secure financial future.
Adapt benefits to different needs of a multi-generational workforce
Getting financial wellness benefits at work is important for 77% of employees. With 73% getting them, there’s still a gap to be closed. But, one size doesn’t fit all as different age groups need different things.
The majority of employees across generations have chosen retirement planning as the most sought-after benefit. However, delving deeper into the data, contrasts in priorities of different generations have emerged. For example, only Gen Z ranks meal allowances in the top three, while Millennials picked financial coaching and advising. As for Baby Boomers, they differ in prioritizing medical care planning, while in open-ended responses they said they desire benefits such as commuting funding, in addition to cryptocurrency education and pay.
Given that 80% of employees prefer additional benefits over a pay increase, going a step further and offering a diverse benefits package — that can be tailored to specific needs — will be highly appreciated.
Provide training and education on financial literacy and money management
Less than 50% of employees are receiving training on money management at work, while only one-third gets training on financial literacy. Though a low level of financial literacy was a top contributor to financial stress and anxiety even before the pandemic, a majority of employees still don’t get the financial guidance they need.
With 73% of employees saying that the financial wellness training they get at work helps them feel more safe and secure, learning how to improve financial literacy in the workplace can benefit their well-being in the long run.
Offer earned wage access (EWA)
Over half of the employees (53%) say they’d stay longer in a company because of on-demand pay. Zeroing in on generational differences data, it turns out that Millennials, the largest cohort in today’s U.S. workforce, prioritize this benefit more than other generations and have it in high demand: 72% of Millennial employees are more likely to stay longer at their current job if on-demand pay is offered. Offering earned wage access, or EWA, gives employees better control over their earnings, in addition to helping them make ends meet.
Help employees stay on track with their financial goals
The research unveiled a deep financial insecurity: Less than half of employees (49%) feel they’re on track to meet their financial goals and retire by their desired age. When it comes to what holds them back from achieving goals, inflation tops the list, with insufficient income as a runner-up.
For companies putting emphasis on future readiness, investing in keeping employees financially fit should be a priority. This means offering them resources and tools that can help them understand different aspects of managing their income, and coping with inflation, debt, and high-interest rates.
Offer emergency savings
Emergency savings are within the top 3 financial wellness benefits employees would like to receive from their employer. Among the four generations, Gen Z prioritizes them the most.
Companies can offer a number of ways to support employees in building emergency funds in addition to retirement plans. Some examples are savings programs, and dedicated accounts. With Americans pulling money from savings at excessively high rates, emergency savings can be an additional blanket of security their employers can wrap them into.
Guide employees into financial longevity
With close to one-third of employees not being on track to meet their financial goals, they need substantial help in reaching lifelong financial security. Several survey findings mirror this sentiment, and point to a gap employers should fill.
Though the most frequently offered financial training at work is on retirement planning, with 64% of employees receiving it, plenty of workers are still left without guidance. Offering learning resources and guidance on different retirement plans and investments can unburden employees from worrying about their financial future, and give them better control of their lives.
Financial wellness benefits
Financial wellness programs in the workplace tend to be viewed as a perk for attracting top talent. But they are so much more than that, especially in the current economic storm. The data from our research showed that 68% of employees are more likely to stay longer at their current job if their employer offers financial wellness benefits. Moreover, these benefits convey a feeling of appreciation to the employees — 83% view financial wellness benefits as a sign that their employer values them and their work.
What’s more, job satisfaction is lifted for employees getting financial wellness benefits: 8 in 10 employees getting these benefits are satisfied with their job.
Unlocking financial security
Employers hold the key to the financial health of their people. They can use financial benefits to create a genuinely supportive workplace, and unlock a hidden workforce potential. But, despite the growth of financial wellness programs at work, close to 3 in 10 employees still don’t have access to financial benefits. Even though getting them is important for 77% of employees.
Promoting physical and mental welfare
Medical care cost planning is within the top 5 most desired benefits for employees. For some, such as those having dependents, it may be the single most important benefit, topping even their salary.
Even though health coverage provided by the employer is making a difference in retention as well as in recruiting, due to the rising costs, employers have been reassessing their role in the health care support of their employees. But the research data, as previously shown, has shed light on the negative impact money-related stress has on the physical health of workers. And that’s something employers should factor in. In addition to sponsoring medical costs, companies can enrich their health benefits programs to include educational resources promoting healthy habits, exercise, and mindfulness.
The most sought-after benefits for each generation
The top 3 financial wellness benefits employees would like to receive from their employer are retirement planning (53%), investment programs (42%), and emergency savings (38%).
As previously seen, retirement is a priority for all generations. However, there are differences in how different age groups prioritize other benefits. For example, for Gen Z the runner-up is emergency savings (43%), followed by investment programs and meal allowance (34%). Millennials also rank emergency savings in second place while the third spot differs, with financial coaching/advising (36%) taking it.
Whereas for Gen X and Baby Boomers investment programs take the second place after retirement planning, followed by emergency savings for Gen Z and medical care cost planning for Baby Boomers.
Financial wellness training in the workplace
Financial wellness training at work is important to 65% of employees. And it is helpful to almost 7 in 10, in improving focus and productivity at work. However, nearly half of employees are not getting it from their companies.
With 51% of employees receiving learning resources, further data showed that companies are mostly aligned with employees’ needs when it comes to the types of offered training. Along with prioritizing retirement planning, saving and budgeting, and income and benefits, over a third of employees find important investments and financial literacy training. Finally, around one-third of employers offer training on new technologies (e.g., blockchain, NFTs, and cryptocurrencies).
Improving everyday life with financial wellness training
Workers are eager to get financial wellness support from their companies. But with many living from hand to mouth, their needs extend beyond support on long-term goals, such as retirement planning and financial literacy. They need support here and now.
One example is that 53% think it is valuable to get guidance from their companies on monthly spending and saving. At the same time, the majority have cut spending on going out, shopping, and entertainment, but only 10% of employees have reduced spending on education and learning. This highlights lifelong learning as a non-negotiable value. And points out that financial wellness training at work is a must-have, rather than a nice-to-have.
Let’s dive into the specific areas that financial wellness training at work helps with, as mentioned by the surveyed employees who get it from their companies.
Improving job satisfaction and retention
61% of employees would stay longer in a company because of financial wellness training. And for those employees who are getting financial wellness training, satisfaction ranks higher: 83% who got training are satisfied with their job, compared to 63% who did not receive training.
Improving focus and productivity
Two-thirds of employees (67%) who received financial wellness training say it helped their productivity, while 8 in 10 said it helped them be more focused at work.
Combating stress
71% find financial wellness training helpful in reducing stress. This percentage is even higher, 75%, for Millennial employees, whose mental health suffers the most as seen previously. Finally, 73% of employees say that the financial wellness training they get at work helps them feel more safe and secure.
Coping with inflation
Over 6 in 10 employees (64%) getting financial wellness training say it is helpful for coping with rising inflation.
Keeping up with cryptocurrencies
For 48%, it is important to get advice from their employer on new currencies, such as cryptocurrencies and NFT. However, only 16% of employees receive such training and resources from their employer.
Financial wellness training can be an ally in easing stress, and improving the daily life of workers who are clouded by economic uncertainty. At the same time, it offers tangible benefits to organizations, and helps them build a more confident and focused workforce. With 41% of employees not having financial wellness training at work, there’s a lot of room for improvement.
Retirement planning: Heading toward a secure financial future?
Heading toward a secure financial future means that employees can feel at ease and financially safe. While, lack of assurance in this important matter can cause financial anxiety that affects all areas of life, including work. With only 5% of employees saying they have met their financial goals, the majority of the workforce does not seem so secure in their financial future.
The TalentLMS, Enrich, and Tapcheck research unveiled a deep need across generations for support in navigating retirement planning. Receiving resources from their employer on retirement planning is important for 79% of employees. Other studies echo this, with employees considering retirement plans to be the most important part of financial wellness.
When do the different generations of workers want to retire?
The majority of employees would like to retire when they’re between 60 and 70 years old. When breaking this further down per age group, interesting patterns and contrasts emerge, with older employees pushing further the pension limit as they age. For example, 65% of Baby Boomers want to retire when they’re between 60 to 70 years old, but only 20% of Gen Zs say the same. At the same time, 1 in 4 Gen Zs and Millennials would like to retire before they turn 50.
The need for support in navigating retirement is urgently evident with the largest generation in the U.S. labor force. Two-thirds of Millennials have nothing saved for retirement, and those who are saving, aren’t saving nearly enough. According to a previous report by NerdWallet, Millennial grads won’t be able to retire until 75 years old. That clashes with their wishes, as our research found that the majority of Millennials would like to retire between 50 and 60 years old.
The dream of early retirement will stay just a dream for most, especially women
One in four employees would like to be financially prepared to retire before they turn 50. But that dream does not look feasible for most. Less than half of the employees surveyed (49%) are on track to meet their financial goals and retire by the desired age. Additionally, men are more likely to be on track to retire by their desired ages, with 57% saying so, compared to only 41% of women being on track. This may be pointing to the gender pay gap as one of the possible reasons.
The 2022’s Global Pension Index ranked the U.S. pension system in the 20th position on the list of 44 countries, showing U.S. employees are mostly on their own when it comes to securing a safe financial future.
Conclusion
The key reason employees spend close to one-third of their lives working is so that they can be financially secured. Along with work hours, they are investing their energy, creativity, commitment, and sense of purpose. But, are they getting enough in return?
Finances are intertwined into the daily, social, and family life of employees. Their financial health, or lack of it, is closely tied to their mental and physical health; to reaching their life goals and dreams. All of which can be uplifted with better financial care in the workplace.
About the survey
The survey of 1,000 full-time employees in the U.S. was conducted online, from October 3-5, 2022. The respondents were from four age groups, with 250 respondents from each: Gen Z (18 – 25), Millennials (26 – 41), Gen X (42 – 56), and Baby Boomers (57 – 76). Forty-six percent of the respondents were male, and 54% were female. The topic of the survey was financial wellness programs at work.
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